An entity directed by HSN's Rafi Assouline and Rebel Property's Allen Linz has filed plans for an impressive new precinct in Woolloomooloo.

The major mixed-use development would transform a prominent William Street site into a new residential village anchored by affordable housing and a large public park.

The proposal, submitted as a State Significant Development Application, covers 164-172 and 174-194 William Street, a 6,398 sqm site between Forbes Street and Dowling Street on the southern edge of Woolloomooloo.

Designed by fjcstudio in collaboration with Bangawarra, Studio Bright and Tribe Studio Architects, the scheme would deliver 227 apartments across four residential buildings ranging in height up to 18 storeys, alongside retail space, public domain improvements and a new publicly accessible park.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eb59b7c-914a-4a5c-b849-3a56749f5e93" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.18.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=mxM6EEqeoLjrCiTlCzTKTvzpKuh6kSkH" />

It's another design scheme for Rebel, who took <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-rebel-property-group-takes-woolloomooloo-precinct-to-nsw-government">concept plans to the NSW Gov late last year</a>.

The latest plans will be a mix of 167 build-to-sell apartments and 60 affordable apartments, with the affordable housing component representing 15 per cent of the project's gross floor area. The apartment mix includes 12 one-bedroom, 53 two-bedroom, 89 three-bedroom apartments and 13 penthouses, while the affordable housing component would comprise 42 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b3d4553-8a8c-4af5-aa8c-519ffb1e28c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_Yb6ibN7eDnOtQjCNDK2eviORa4qzgv." />

Rebel Property is seeking to take advantage of the NSW Government's infill affordable housing bonus provisions under the Housing SEPP, which provide additional floor space and height in exchange for the delivery of affordable housing for a minimum of 15 years. The planning pathway allows a 30 per cent increase in floor space ratio and building height where 15 per cent of the development is dedicated to affordable housing.

&nbsp;

At the centre of the development is a 1,356 sqm sunlit public park designed to become a new community gathering space at the gateway to Woolloomooloo. The park would be complemented by a network of pedestrian laneways connecting William Street with the surrounding streets, improving permeability through what is currently a largely impermeable block.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="257af931-a393-4007-8c6d-7219796df58d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=KAHy94GrhaReFsWTGDKfy39EDJ8gEEv4" />

The design team says the public domain has been heavily influenced by the site's topography and Aboriginal cultural heritage, drawing on the escarpments, gullies and landscape characteristics that historically defined the area before urbanisation. The landscape design has been developed in partnership with First Nations consultancy Bangawarra.

The project would be delivered across four separate buildings. The William Street East and William Street West buildings, designed by fjcstudio, would contain the majority of the apartments. Melbourne-based Studio Bright has designed the Forbes Street building, while Tribe Studio Architects is responsible for the Dowling Street building.

Rebel had secured approval for the concept plans late last year.

Joel Robinson

First look: HSN, Rebel, advances Woolloomooloo precinct plans

A locally heritage-listed furniture showroom on Water Street is set to become the centrepiece of a new mixed-use residential development as local developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/keylin-group">Keylin</a> seeks approval for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lotus-on-water-street-290-water-street-fortitude-valley-qld-4006">Lotus on Water Street</a>, a 15-storey project on the Fortitude Valley side of Spring Hill.

The proposal spans 290 Water Street and 137-141 Warry Street, combining several properties into a 2,869 sqm site that sits between Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill and the rapidly evolving Victoria Park precinct. Keylin's plans would deliver 132 apartments alongside new retail, hospitality and commercial space, while retaining and repurposing the historic Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom that fronts Water Street.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-teece">Jackson Teece</a>, Lotus on Water Street comprises a 12-storey residential tower rising above a three-storey podium and communal rooftop terrace. The development includes 76 apartments classified as multiple dwellings and a further 56 units proposed as short-term accommodation, designed to be flexibly used as either accommodation or permanent residences. The apartment mix comprises six one-bedroom, 54 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom homes.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9822bb79-6c49-49c9-95ba-319e8c8d81c3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20front.png?VersionId=ioW8zbN4UVebbLetTFuv92t.HkdgfR5e" />

Residents would have access to an extensive rooftop recreation level spanning more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space. Plans include a pool, gym, sauna, infrared sauna, yoga area, library, private dining room, barbecue facilities and landscaped entertainment spaces, making the rooftop the project's largest shared amenity offering.

At street level, the proposal focuses on the adaptive reuse of the heritage buildings along Water Street, where 518 sqm of retail and commercial space is planned across shop, office and food and drink outlet uses. A permeable residential lobby would be positioned between the retained heritage buildings, creating a pedestrian connection between the historic streetscape and the new tower behind.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="269cf3e0-7d13-48bf-a318-05a00deb5c10" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20podium.png?VersionId=DLXmTCLsp6GOcLpQ0h.0z7wKCw59EhN_" />

The heritage retention strategy is central to the scheme. The development application notes that the Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom and adjoining heritage buildings will remain, with only non-significant structures on the site earmarked for removal under a previously issued Heritage Exemption Certificate. Levels one and two of the new podium are recessed behind the heritage façades to maintain their prominence within the streetscape.

Jackson Teece has drawn inspiration from the site's manufacturing history when designing the podium. The planning documents state that the façade incorporates perforated metal screening that references the woven and rattan furniture historically produced on the site. Cascading and climbing plants are integrated throughout the podium to soften the building's presentation and screen parking levels behind. The landscape strategy also informs the project's name, Lotus on Water Street, drawing on the historic Spring Hollow waterholes that once ran through Spring Hill and the blue water lilies associated with Meeanjin, Brisbane's traditional name.

The proposal also incorporates the neighbouring property at 141 Warry Street, currently occupied by a healthcare service. The existing building would remain, with nine dedicated parking spaces allocated within the new development to support its ongoing operation. In total, Lotus on Water Street proposes 117 car spaces, including 110 resident spaces and seven visitor bays, alongside 100 bicycle spaces.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70cf07bc-4fd8-4e70-92dd-be8b21c4e4f0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20site.png?VersionId=txlxrJImM0Sm_vTzHVKh5DDUkyL_CiiA" />

The site sits within the Spring Hill East Precinct of the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan and is positioned around 650 metres from both Fortitude Valley Station and Exhibition Station. It is also within walking distance of the King Street precinct, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Quarter and Victoria Park, which is earmarked to become a major venue precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Planning documents describe the location as a key gateway between Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley and highlight the area's increasing importance as new transport infrastructure and Olympic-related investment reshape Brisbane's inner north. The development team argues the project will contribute additional housing supply while activating a section of Water Street that has historically received less investment than other parts of the Valley.

Keylin has become increasingly active across Brisbane and southeast Queensland, assembling sites in strategic inner-city locations. They are currently selling and delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/oria-spring-hill-447-gregory-terrace-spring-hill-qld-4000">Oria Spring Hill</a>, just over 140 apartments due for completion in 2027.

Keylin plans heritage-led Lotus on Water Street apartment development in Fortitude Valley

Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

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EXPERT OBSERVER
While mainstream media obsesses over the inevitable downturn in the major markets in Sydney and Melbourne, somehow turning that into a national crisis, the rest of the nation is overlooked, especially regional Australia.
This is a shame for property investors because, right now, many of the best opportunities to buy well for future growth and good rental returns are in regional Australia.
While media’s focus remains firmly on the capital cities, the reality is that the strongest price growth in the past year has been recorded in regional centres.
The best-performing markets this year, based on our analysis of all the research, have been Geelong in Victoria, the towns of Cardinia Shire just outside Melbourne, the NSW Central Coast and the Newcastle region (pictured above).
It’s significant that while the average price outcome for the capital cities is a negative figure, dragged down by Sydney’s decline, the result for regional Australia is positive. This is according to latest data from CoreLogic, which says that the average total return for regional Australia is 6.2%, compared to -0.6% for the combined capital cities.
While four of the eight capital cities have price levels lower than a year ago (according to CoreLogic - other sources disagree), five of the six major state regional markets have prices higher than 12 months ago.
The latest figures from SQM Research have annual price for the capital cities (the average for the eight capitals) slightly in the negative, but the national average including the regions is solidly in the positive.
Returns are better in the regions: yields in the capital cities average 3.5%, while the regions average 5% (CoreLogic figures).
And, of course, the prices are much more affordable: the median dwelling price for the cities is $643,000, compared to $368,000 in the regional areas.
Looking forward, the markets I see as having the best potential for upside for investors include locations like Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria, the Hunter Region of NSW and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, with recovering Townsville another market likely to provide great value and potential for future growth.
I note that the latest McGrath Report puts forward the view that regional property markets are the “new black’’ in residential real estate.
The report says leading regional hubs like the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Geelong and Newcastle are undergoing significant price growth on the back of strong demand.
It suggests improved infrastructure has made commuting times faster between regional areas and capital cities - and when coupled with the NBN rollout making access to technology better, these regions have become even more appealing to buyers.
“Massive infrastructure investment across Australia is also boosting employment in regional centres,’’ the report says.
Most investors overlook the regions, believing that all the economic and property growth potential lies in the capital cities. It simply isn’t so.
To increase awareness of the potential in our regional areas, consider what Jack Archer, chief executive of the Regional Australia Institute, said in a recent newspaper column:
“Many believe one of the problems with plans to decentralise our population is too few jobs in rural and regional Australia. Not true. Permanent skilled and unskilled migrants are needed in many areas.
“And simple reforms to immigration policy with support from rural communities to settle new permanent migrants will help take pressure off major cities.”
He notes Federal Government moves to channel jobseekers into regional work and the possibility of a five-year regional visa to connect migrants with permanent regional jobs.
Data from the Federal Government’s Internet Vacancy Index shows why new permanent migration to regions is critical. In July there were 46,000 job vacancies in regional Australia. This is up 23% from February 2016. Capital city vacancies rose only 12%.
Archer says: “This need is not about temporary farm work. Today’s vacancies are a mix of high-skill and low-skill jobs — everything from labouring, to sales, trades and professions. In the Pilbara, there are about 1,600 vacancies including 553 trades (automotive), 332 professionals (engineering and health), 238 machinery operators, 155 labourers and 128 clerical staff.”
Australia has many strong, diverse regional economies supporting property markets which are affordable, have much better yields than the cities and have strong potential for capital growth.
That’s why I see buying in good regional cities as a win-win-win scenario.
John McGrath recently said regional is the new black, rivalling the likes of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne with their new improved lifestyle, population growth and growing economy's.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

It's time to focus on regional city property markets: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
<div>Property transaction volumes have been crippled in recent months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But one key dynamic has not changed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The capital cities continue to create hundreds of thousands of the most favourable employment opportunities...and there still ain't any more well-located land.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Capital city vacant land prices increased by a massive 16 per cent to a record high of $336,124 over the year to June 2018, as supply fails dismally to keep pace with demand. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This was much faster than the 5 per cent increase for regional lot values. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney may still have the highest land price at $477,250 at the end of the June quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But Melbourne recorded faster growth, with the median land price per square metre exploding another 27 per cent higher higher over FY2018. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney's median vacant land price per square metre is now $1,100, ahead of Melbourne at $885.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Price pressures are still strong in the residential land market, according to HIA.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>They found that the price and number of vacant residential lots sold increased across the state capital cities in the June 2018 quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The weighted median residential lot price for Australia's state capitals increased by 3.8% to $336,125 in the June 2018 quarter to be 15.5% higher over the year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Melbourne saw the strongest price surge with vacant residential land in Melbourne jumping 26.5% over the year to the June 2018 quarter.</div>
Tim Lawless CoreLogic' Research Director agreed with this sentiment stating upwards pressure on capital city land values will continue. 
<div>He found construction costs are also rising faster than inflation.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And accordingly, the future price of new detached housing will be "inevitably higher" according to CoreLogic analysis.</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Capital city land price boom continues: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Prices are growing strongly in selected markets in different parts of Australia, not that you would know it if you confined your research to reading mainstream media.
And the areas where the growth is the greatest include the fringes of the Melbourne metropolitan area and locations within an hour or so of the capital city.
Last week I wrote: “Right now, many of the best opportunities to buy well for future growth and good rental returns are in regional Australia. While media’s focus remains firmly on the capital cities, the reality is that the strongest price growth in the past year has been recorded in regional centres.
“The best-performing markets this year, based on our analysis of all the research, have been Geelong in Victoria (above), the towns of Cardinia Shire just outside Melbourne, the NSW Central Coast and the Newcastle region.”
One of the key factors here is that the most active buyers, now, are those looking for affordability. So first-home buyers and investors on small budgets have been targeting the outer-ring suburbs of Melbourne and near-city regional centres.
The problem, once again, is that media likes to dumb things down for its readers and listeners, on the basis that we’re all a bit thick and can’t digest sophisticated information (although I suspect it’s the journalists themselves who need to have things dumbed down, because few of them have specialist knowledge of the subject).
So they generalise. And the generalised data tells us Melbourne prices are falling – apparently, because it depends on whose data you believe.
Consider this: in annual terms, CoreLogic records a 4.5 percent decline in Melbourne house prices, but SQM Research essentially says there’s no change and the latest ABS figures report a 2.6 percent rise.
With apartments, CoreLogic reports a slight 0.3 percent rise in Melbourne’s median price, ABS has a 1.4 percent increase and SQM claims a 7 percent rise.
So it’s not a fact to declare that Melbourne prices are falling, given that some research data contradicts the claim. What is true, I think, is that the average rate of growth is much lower than before.
But, and here’s the thing, the growth remains strong in some areas, particularly the outer-ring suburbs being targeted by budget buyers.
The research from various sources shows that first-home buyers, nationally, are more active than at any time in the past eight years. And Melbourne is one of the national leaders for the activity of first-time buyers.
I did some detailed research last week for an interview on ABC radio Melbourne and this confirmed just how prolific the growth is in some of the outer-ring areas.
On the northern fringes of the Melbourne metropolitan area, median prices are up strongly in annual terms in Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, South Morang, Broadmeadows, Jacana and elsewhere – led by Epping (up 22 percent) and Broadmeadows (up 26 percent), according to CoreLogic figures.
It’s notable that most of those suburbs have had further solid growth in the most recent quarter.
Similar trends are evident in the south-west, where Wyndham Vale, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing have all recorded 18-19 percent growth in their median prices in annual terms, including around 3 percent growth in the most recent quarter.
But the really big growth is happening in the regional centres just outside Melbourne. Geelong has been attracting attention as a leader not just in Victoria but nationally. Domain says the median house price for the City of Greater Geelong has grown 12 percent in the past year - but individual suburbs, notably the cheaper ones, have recorded much stronger figures.
North Geelong and Herne Hill are both up 24 percent in annual terms, while Corio and Norlane (which both have median house prices in the mid-$300,000s) have grown 30 percent in 12 months.
Norlane, Corio and North Geelong have each grown at least 7 percent in the most recent quarter for which we have figures.
Geelong is not an isolated example. A little beyond the Melbourne metro area to the south-east, Officer, Pakenham and Warragul have recorded annual rises between 20 and 27 percent. Those three towns, plus nearby Drouin, rose a further 4 percent or so in the most recent quarter.
Other regional areas where prices have been outperforming Melbourne averages include the Surf Coast, Ballarat, Mildura and Warrnambool – and I suspect that most of these markets, as well as Bendigo and Shepparton, are very early in their growth cycles.
The latest Domain data indicates that there are eight regional areas of New South Wales which have recorded annual growth above 10 percent, but I’ll save that discussion until a future column.
Remember this data next time you read in mainstream media that property prices are falling everywhere.
 
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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Victorian regions where property prices are growing strongly: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The combined effect of low rental yields and declining dwelling values has resulted in a rapid reduction in overall returns from housing over the past year.
According to the CoreLogic Total Returns Index, over recent year’s value growth has been much stronger than rental returns, showing that the majority of the returns have been achieved via capital gains rather than rental income.
With dwelling values now falling and gross rental yields close to historic lows, the total returns from residential housing are not looking so attractive and a greater share of returns are coming from the yield component.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%201.JPG" alt="">
National dwelling values fell by -1.6% over the 12 months to July 2018, total annual returns have fallen to just 1.9% and are now at their lowest since June 2012.
The fall in total returns has been substantial given that a year earlier total returns were recorded at 14.2%.
Across the combined capital cities, total returns over the 12 months to July 2018 were recorded at 0.8% - the lowest they have been since May 2012.
Total returns across the combined regional markets were recorded at 6.6% over the past year – again, the lowest they have been since June 2013.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%202.JPG" alt=""> 
A year ago, annual total returns were recorded at 14.8% across the combined capital cities and 12.0% across the combined regional markets.
Over the past 12 months, total returns in Sydney have fallen by -2.5%.
This -2.5% fall in returns is the weakest result since February 2009 and represents a substantial slowdown in annual returns from July 2017 when they had increased by 19.0%.
With dwelling values falling -5.4% in Sydney over the past year it highlights that value changes largely dictate total returns in Sydney.
In regional NSW total returns increased by 6.7% over the past year that was the smallest annual increase since February 2013.
Annual returns in regional NSW have slowed from 17.1% a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%203.JPG" alt="">
Value falls in Melbourne over the past year have seen a substantial reduction in total returns.
Over the past year, Melbourne recorded at 2.4% reduction that was down from 16.6% a year ago and was also the lowest annual return since October 2012.
Total returns in regional Vic have remained much more stable than those in Melbourne.
Over the past 12 months, total returns in regional Vic have been recorded at 9.8% which was only slightly lower than the 10.4% total returns recorded a year ago.
Value growth is only slightly lower than it was a year ago in regional Vic which is a key contributor to fairly steady total returns.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%204.JPG" alt="">
Over the past year, dwelling value growth has slowed across Qld which has contributed to a moderate reduction in total returns.
Over the year, total returns in Brisbane were recorded at 4.8% which was the lowest return since July 2013 and down from 7.5% a year ago.
Regional Qld total returns were slightly stronger than those in Brisbane were at 5.2% however, they too were down from 9.1% a year ago and the 5.2% was the smallest annual return since October 2012.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%205.JPG" alt="">
The rate of dwelling value growth has slowed over the past year in Adelaide and so too have total returns while the rate of value decline in regional SA has slowed, providing a boost to total returns.
Total returns in Adelaide were recorded at 4.9% over the past year compared to a 6.1% return in regional SA.
In Adelaide, returns have fallen from 9.9% a year ago and are the lowest they have been since June 2013.
Total returns in regional SA have increased from 5.2% a year ago and are the highest they have been since January 2017.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%206.JPG" alt="">
Although values have fallen over the past year in both Perth and regional WA, total returns in each region remain positive.
Over the past 12 months, total returns in Perth were recorded at 1.6%, which was an increase from 1.2% a year ago however, annual returns have eased slightly over recent months.
In regional WA, total returns were recorded at 0.6% over the past year compared to 1.8% a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%207.JPG" alt=""> 
With strong increases in dwelling values over the past year, Hobart has recoded the nation’s highest total returns at 17.1%.
Although 17.1% represents much stronger returns than all other capital cities it is lower than the 19.7% a year ago and also lower than the recent peak of 20.2% in September 2017.
Regional Tas has also generated comparatively high total returns over the past year of 12.0%.
The 12.0% annual returns are down from 14.1%, a year ago which was the recent peak.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%208.JPG" alt="">
 
There is a big discrepancy between total returns in Darwin and regional NT, which is also reflective of the significant differences in value changes over the past year.
Over the past year, total returns in Darwin were recorded a -0.8% which is down from a positive returns of 2.5% a year ago.
Although total returns are falling, the magnitude of the fall has slowed over the past two months.
In regional NT, total returns were recorded at 12.3%, which was a substantial improvement on the 1.4% annual return a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%209.JPG" alt="">
Over the 12 months to July 2018, total returns for Canberra dwellings were recorded at 7.0%.
The 7.0% annual return was lower than the 12.8% recorded over the previous 12 months.
As the chart below shows, returns have trended lower over the past year but have begun to stabilize over recent months.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%2010.JPG" alt="">
The most recent data shows that there has been a significant fall in investor mortgage demand.
Over recent years most of this demand has been in Sydney and Melbourne, both of which have seen a significant slowdown in total returns over the past year.
Given the decline in returns and an expectation that returns will continue to shrink as values decline further, it is anticipated that investor mortgage demand will also shrink, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.
Investors could see renewed interest for housing in other regions of the country where total returns remain positive however, however the returns are anticipated to be far inferior to those recorded over recent years in Sydney and Melbourne.
Cameron Kusher is a CoreLogic Research analyst 
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Returns on residential housing continue to fall: Cameron Kusher

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The Full Federal Court has handed down judgment in the appeal by Aussiegolfa Pty Ltd (in its capacity as trustee of the Benson Family Superannuation Fund (BFSF) which clarifies SMSF rules regarding the sole purpose test. 
The Court held that the primary judge was incorrect in concluding that the leasing of a property held by the sub-fund to a child of a member of the BFSF was a breach of the ‘sole purpose test’. 
It related to a $104,000 student residential property in Melbourne's Burwood.
DomaCom had entered into a leasing and managing authority with Student Housing Australia for the leasing of the Burwood Highway property. The first two longterm tenants of the studio apartment were persons unknown, and unrelated, to the Benson family, but then Student Housing Australia agreed to lease an apartment to a daughter of the Benson family with the lease at the same $869 monthly rental as had been paid by the first two tenants. 
The DomaCom chief Arthur Naoumidis has welcomed the decision.
"DomaCom is very pleased to have the court confirm that it was not a breach of the sole purpose test when a related party of the BFSF rented a property held by the DomaCom Burwood sub-fund.
"We believe that this finding, on its own, represents a milestone for the SMSF industry.” 
DomaCom supported the action against the Commissioner of Taxation in the Federal Court hoping a ruling would confirm that SMSFs can invest in property sub-funds where the tenant of the underlying property is a related party of the SMSF.
The court heard it was in 2015 that the Benson family fund made a decision to invest in student accommodation and other ‘relatively low-cost, relatively high-return’ opportunities through a DomaCom sub-fund with a return of approximately 6.5%.
The decision to lease the Burwood property to the daughter was not made until 2017.
The appeal judges' ruling noted four reasons why the finding made by the primary judge was in error.
But the Court also held that the primary judge was correct to conclude that the units held by Aussiegolfa Pty Ltd in a sub-fund of the DomaCom Fund constituted an investment in a ‘related trust’ of the BFSF. 
“In relation to the related trust determination, we are reviewing the comprehensive judgment with our lawyers and will make a further announcement about the effect, if any, of the decision on the DomaCom Fund.
The DomaCom Fund disclosure documents have been amended significantly since the Burwood sub-fund was created in 2015.
"Accordingly, we will analyse the effects of the judgment on sub-funds created using the current version of the DomaCom Fund constitution and disclosure documents," Arthur Naoumidis said.
"If our analysis determines that it is necessary, we will consider amending our constitution and disclosure documents to address this issue with respect to future sub-funds.” 
MT Flynn QC and Dr J Glover were counsel for Aussiegolfa Pty Ltd.
DomaCom launched Australia’s first online platform (registered as a managed investment scheme) to provide a property investment solution for the SMSF market and other long term investors through the fractional acquisition of units in a unique trust structure that enables investors to gain exposure to the property they select.
<div title="Page 2">
Residential and commercial property Australia wide can be accessed in this fund, sourced from a variety of vendors and developers.
DomaCom is Australia's leading property crowdfunder. It allows anyone to invest a little or a lot into property investment. 
</div>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

DomaCom win Federal Court battle in SMSF breakthrough

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There are growing reasons for hope and optimism for property investors who bought in resources-related towns at the height of the mining investment boom.
The question I get asked most often is “when will Gladstone recover?” - or similar questions about other resources-impacted regional centres around Australia.
For the past couple of years, the honest answer did not give much cheer to those holding properties worth considerably less than they paid and earning a lot less in rent than before (if a tenant could be found at all).
But now, increasingly, the news is more positive. Many of these places are showing definite signs of recovery and investors can look forward to the prospect of better prices and rentals.
I’m not suggesting anyone should rush out and buy in these places, most of which sit at the high-risk end of the investment spectrum – just that, for those who own property there (it’s amazing how many people do), there is light at the end of a very long tunnel.
In our latest edition of the Price Predictor Index, the number of Regional Queensland locations classified as Danger markets has dropped from a record high of 31 late in 2016 to 19 now. 
Markets showing signs of recovery include Dalby, Emerald, Moranbah, Rockhampton, Mackay and the Whitsundays. 
Mackay is showing quite strong signs of returning to growth, with sales activity up, vacancies down and some evidence of prices rising again. With the Central Queensland mining industry revitalising, Mackay is likely to show some reasonable growth in the next couple of years.
Dalby’s economic and property fortunes rose and fell with the fortunes of the coal seam gas industry in the Surat Basin. Right now, its median house price ($255,000) is lower than it was five years ago but likely to recover in the near future.
Quarterly sales in Dalby over the past two years have been 32, 33, 41, 43, 50, 52, 65 and 75, a pattern that confirms the recovery in this market. Vacancies have dropped to around 2%, according to SQM Research.
Some of the worst-affected markets still have high vacancies and falling property values - and should be approached with caution. 
They include Mount Isa and Gladstone. Mount Isa still has eight suburbs classified as Danger markets and Gladstone still has six. Gladstone should improve, as the overall vacancy rate has dropped from a peak of 12% early in 2016 to around 3.5% now - still a little too high, but the trend is encouraging.
Regional areas of WA are nudging towards recovery, notably the resources-related centres in the north of the state.
Karratha and Port Hedland/South Hedland both have sales activity heading in the right direction again, a factor confirmed by our latest survey of sales volumes and also by new figures for the June Quarter from the Real Estate Institute of WA.
At the pinnacle of the resources investment boom, the median house price for Port Hedland was well above $1 million. 
The latest figures show a median price around $395,000. This is 14% above the level of a year ago, though still well below the peak during the resources boom. 
The median price bottomed out around $350,000 earlier in the year, so there appear to be early signs of growth.
But we continue to urge caution - this kind of volatility is common in resources-related markets and they are not for the faint-hearted.
Similarly, there is a general pattern of growth in the Karratha market - and a similar history with prices.
The Karratha market was achieving only 45-55 sales per quarter in 2015 but in the past six quarters have each topped 80 sales. 
Typical house prices in Karratha are now below $300,000, compared with $700,000 to $800,000 at the peak of the resources investment boom.
Median prices in the Karratha area include $260,000 for Bulgarra (up 13% in the past 12 months but down 40% over 3 years), $345,000 for Nickol (up 28% in 12 months but 20% below the levels of three years ago) and $250,000 for Pegs Creek (up 5% in 12 months but still 42% below the levels of three years ago).
There is even a glimmer of recovery in sales activity in the remote resources town of Newman, with a median price ($145,000) at a fraction of the boom-time levels. 
Sales levels in Newman have improved, although from a very low base - in 2015 there were only 11 sales in the town, but there were 57 in 2016 and 75 in 2017.
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder market remains well below par. In 2012/2013 this market was recording around 250 sales per quarter but in the past 12 months fewer than 125 per quarter. We continue to classify Kalgoorlie as a Danger market.
In South Australia, former growth star Whyalla has been classified in The Price Predictor Index as a Danger market over the past two years, but there is hope for better things. 
Our latest quarterly survey shows signs of an upturn in sales, but at levels still well below the resources-fuelled peak of 2013/2014.
Sales in the past four quarters have been 10, 30, 31  and 37, which shows a pattern of improvement, but compares to quarterly sales of 96, 99, 89 and 84 in 2012-13.
Better news about the future of ailing steel maker Arrium, one of the region’s major employers, gives rise to hope for recovery in the local economy and property market. 
I await the next few quarterly surveys to see whether recent signs of upturn in sales activity are real.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
ryder@hotspotting.com.au
twitter.com/hotspotting
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When will Gladstone recover? Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
My analysis reveals that over the 2017-18 financial year, annual value growth fell from 10.2% over the previous financial year to a decline of -0.8% this year.
The largest fall in values is occurring for Sydney and Melbourne’s most expensive properties.
This has resulted in the number of sales at, or in excess, of $1 million starting to trend marginally lower across the nation.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%201.JPG" alt="">
As housing market conditions continue to weaken, it is anticipated that there will continue to be fewer sales above the $1 million threshold.
Over the 12 months to June 2018, 16.0% of all houses and 8.8% of all units sold nationally had a price of at least $1 million; the share of house and unit sales at this price point was slightly lower than the previous year when 16.1% of houses and 9.1% of unit sales were at this price point.
The share of $1 million plus sales is also down from the peak of 16.8% for houses in February 2018 and 9.4% for units in October 2017; 24.5% of houses and 10.7% of units were sold for at least $1 million over the 2017-18 financial year.
House sales at this price point were slightly higher than the 24.3% a year ago but down from the recent peak of 25.5% in February 2018.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%202.JPG" alt="">
 
The 10.7% of unit sales for at least $1 million was down from 11.1% a year ago as well as being lower than the 11.5% peak in October 2017.
Across the combined regional markets, 4.7% of all houses sold over the 2017-18 financial year transacted for at least $1 million.
A year earlier, 4.3% of all sales were at that price point however, the share of house sales at or above $1 million has fallen slightly from 4.8% in March 2018.
Four per cent of all units sold over the past year were at least $1 million which was a recordhigh share and up from 3.7% the previous year.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%203.JPG" alt="">
At its peak in March 2018, 50.4% of houses sold over the past year in Sydney transacted for at least $1 million with the figure since falling to 48.8% in June 2018.
The 48.8% share in June 2018 was slightly higher than the 48.6% a year earlier but clearly now trending lower.
Over the 12 months to June 2018, 21.2% of all unit sales were at least $1 million which was both down from a year ago (21.8%) and lower than the October 2017 peak (22.5%).
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%20SYdney.JPG" alt="">
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 29.6% of houses and 8.% of units sold in Melbourne sold for at least $1 million.
The share of house sales at this price point was higher than the previous financial year (27.6%) while for units it was slightly lower (8.1%).
The share of sales of at least $1 million in Melbourne peaked in March 2018 for houses at 30.6% and peaked in January 2018 at 8.6% for units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%205.JPG" alt="">
A historic high of 9.2% of houses and 3.3% of units in Brisbane were sold for at least $1 million over the 12 months to June 2018.
The share of sales of at least $1 million has risen quite considerably over the year from 8.1% for houses and 2.8% for units a year ago.
 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%206.JPG" alt="">
Over the 12 months to June 2017, 5.3% of Adelaide houses and 1.8% of units had been sold for at least $1 million.
12 months later, the share of sales within this price point had increased to new record-highs of 5.9% for houses and 2.0% for units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%207.JPG" alt="">
Despite ongoing declines in values over recent years the share of sales of properties for at least $1 million in Perth has increased over the year.
In June 2017, 10.9% of houses and 3.8% of units sold for at least $1 million compared to 11.1% and 3.7% respectively in June 2018.
The share of houses sold for at least $1 million peaked in April 2018 at 11.3% while the share of unit sales over $1 million peaked at 5.6% in April 2008.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%208.JPG" alt="">
With Hobart dwelling values having surged over the past year there has been a substantial increase in the share of house sales of at least $1 million.
Over the 12 months to June 2018, 3.7% of all houses sold and 1.2% of all units sold transacted for $1 million or more.
The share of house sales of $1 million or more was a record high and up from 2.6% of all sales a year earlier.
The share of $1 million unit sales increased from 1.0% a year earlier but has eased back from a peak of 1.3% in January 2018.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%209.JPG" alt="">
As Darwin dwelling values have fallen over recent years so too has the share of sales of properties for at least $1 million.
At the peak in February 2015, 5.9% of all house sales were at least $1 million while for units, the peak of 3.1% of all sales occurred in August 2015.
Over the past 12 months, 3.8% of all house sales were at least $1 million which was steady over the year while 0.9% of all unit sales were seven figures over the past year compared to 1.4% a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%2010.JPG" alt="">
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 14.1% of all house sales and 2.5% of all unit sales in Canberra were at least $1 million.
The 14.1% of house sales for at least $1 million was an historic high while the share of seven figure sales of units peaked in March 2016 at 3.1%.
The share of $1 million house and unit sales both increased over the year from 12.0% and 1.9% respectively.
In closing, with dwelling values declining and much more rapid declines across the most expensive housing stock it is reasonable to expect the share of $1 million sales to trend lower over the coming year.
This will largely be driven by weakening in Sydney and Melbourne. Smaller capital cities are also likely to continue to see the share of $1 million sales climb further too.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%2011.JPG" alt="">
Cameron Kusher is a CoreLogic research analyst 
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Expensive home sales volume in decline, with Hobart going against the capital city trend: Cameron Kusher

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New figures have revealed the popularity of townhouses is soaring, with approvals for new townhouses at record levels in Australia’s biggest cities.
In the 12 months to December 2017, townhouse approvals had the strongest year on year growth at 21% in Victoria (VIC) and 28% in New South Wales (NSW). 
Conversely, in the same period, the number of approvals for detached houses in NSW and VIC fell by 2% compared to the previous year – with <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/blog/2017/08/03/townhouses-next-big-thing/">more Australians</a> shifting away from detached houses in favour of higher density living.
An analysis of ABS dwelling unit data over the last 5-7 years has shown an exponential increase in townhouse approvals as more developers seek to meet this growing demand.
In 2017, annual townhouse approvals rose by 124% in Victoria (VIC) and 128% New South Wales (NSW), compared to 2011 figures. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/IRONFISH%201.jpg" alt="">
Housing approvals drop
While the rate of growth for townhouse approvals has remained robust and positive for the last 5 years, the rate of growth for traditional detached housing approvals has been declining over the same period, with weaker overall year on year growth.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/IRONFISH%202.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/IRONFISH%203.jpg" alt="">
Over the past 5 years, VIC townhouse approvals averaged an annual rate of growth of 14.4% and NSW townhouses averaged an annual rate of growth of 15.3%. Detached housing approvals increased at lower rates of 2.6% and 9.3% respectively.
<h4>Houses &amp; Townhouses – 5 year rate of growth</h4>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/IRONFISH%204.jpg" alt="">
<h2>Comparable backyard to a House &amp; Land</h2>
Typically, townhouses provide a more affordable, family-friendly alternative to a detached house, with more indoor and outdoor space and privacy than an apartment, but without the cost and upkeep of a larger home on a big block.
What’s interesting to note, however, is that many new townhouses aren’t compromising so much in the way of backyard space anymore.
As the cost of land continues to rise across the nation, block sizes are <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/blog/2017/11/07/smaller-blocks-larger-price-tags-aussies-opting-big-backyard/">continuing to decrease</a>, ultimately resulting in smaller backyards. In some cases, these backyards are the same size or only slightly larger than the backyard you would find in a townhouse.
In the Sydney suburb of Schofields for example, townhouses can offer up to around 70% as much backyard space as a standalone house &amp; land package – with a substantial price saving to boot.
<h4><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/IRONFISH%205.jpg" alt=""></h4>
For the growing number of families wanting a backyard without compromising their ‘lock up and leave’ lifestyle, townhouses can offer the ideal solution. Even a quick poll at Ironfish HQ, revealed the popularity of this lifestyle choice.
<blockquote>
“We currently live in an apartment with a young family and would likely choose a townhouse in our area as our next move,” said Ironfish staff member Manisha Lee. “We don’t want to compromise on our location and we want to be within an easy commute to work. A townhouse is a more affordable way to have that extra bedroom and backyard space that we need compared to a standalone house or terrace-house in the same area.”
“And to be honest, we’re used to apartment living; we don’t want the headache of having to maintain a property ourselves – we have enough on our plate with working fulltime and raising young kids as it is! Having someone else manage the maintenance makes it much easier.”
</blockquote>
<h2>Location, location</h2>
Not only are townhouses an affordable option compared to detached housing, they are also increasingly better positioned in new master-planned communities.
A growing trend we are now seeing is that councils and developers are positioning townhouses in prized locations, near parks or on the waterfront. They also tend to be in closer proximity to transport hubs, retail and other amenities compared with house &amp; land.
<h2>Luxury and affordability</h2>
With rising land prices in Sydney and Melbourne, affordability has been a key driver for prioritising townhouses across urban planning measures. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment, for example, states that medium density housing provides an important alternative, offering more affordable housing choice in a market that has traditionally been a mix of fully detached housing and apartments.
However, townhouses do come in a variety of different sizes and price points and are not necessarily pitched exclusively at entry level buyers.
<blockquote>
Domain Data Scientist, Dr Nicola Powell, points out that many developers are now including fittings and fixtures and architectural design standards more closely linked to the luxury end of the housing market. They are also better catering for families with younger children through the inclusion of common gardens or other leisure spaces.
</blockquote>
<h2>The rise and rise of townhouse living</h2>
In the 2016 Census, the growing shift away from detached housing towards higher density living was revealed. Townhouses accounted for 12.7% of resident homes in Australia, up from 9.9% in 2011 – while detached houses, though still the majority, continued their longer-term declining trajectory from 75.6.7% to 72.9%.  
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/IRONFISH%206.jpg" alt="">
“In the face of affordability constraints, changing lifestyle choices and an expanding population, we expect townhouse living is only going to increase in popularity,” said Ironfish Head of Property, William Mitchell.
“And as more new townhouses are built to meet this growing demand, it’s likely the next Census data set will show an even stronger uptake of townhouse living.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Are townhouses the new house?

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Brisbane's once-rampant apartment construction has now righted itself, and indeed median unit prices were up a fraction over the past year in the Queensland capital. 
<div id="post-body-1517642067810614857" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>Victoria's apartment construction on the other hand has exploded to a record high (as expected from leading indicators), with the value of work done an astronomical 416 per cent higher than a decade earlier in chain volume measures terms. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney doesn't build so many houses, so a lot of activity is expected, but for Melbourne this is a boom-and-a-half!</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-L_Si8xu3M/W3zV5ZRFWuI/AAAAAAAArog/JQ9WfQ2ltJABfVf3KSePDeXcpAOZ8GZEQCLcBGAs/s1600/A1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-L_Si8xu3M/W3zV5ZRFWuI/AAAAAAAArog/JQ9WfQ2ltJABfVf3KSePDeXcpAOZ8GZEQCLcBGAs/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="376" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1361"></a></div>
<div>
 <div class="separator"> </div>
 It's an everything boom for Victorian construction with public and engineering works also going on a tear. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Queensland engineering construction is also finally on the rise again after the state's multi-year downturn. </div>
 <div class="separator"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFMjIc58GKQ/W3zV5oAN67I/AAAAAAAArok/mtjusxcoA6AQzd36njWtlrRemzlXTHvYQCLcBGAs/s1600/A2.jpg"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFMjIc58GKQ/W3zV5oAN67I/AAAAAAAArok/mtjusxcoA6AQzd36njWtlrRemzlXTHvYQCLcBGAs/s640/A2.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1368"></a></div>
 <div>Adding in detached housing construction, Victoria's construction super-boom over 16 consecutive quarters and counting helped to increase total work done nationally in the second quarter by 1.6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Eight consecutive quarterly increases in South Australia have also helped to offset the resources and housing construction weakness in Western Australia. Construction work in New South Wales is set to top out now as apartment starts decline. </div>
<div> </div>
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 <div>Job ads stalling</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In other news skilled job vacancies were up by 4.7 per cent from a year earlier to be 30.5 per cent above the October 2013 nadir in July 2018, according to the latest Department of Employment figures. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The seasonally adjusted monthly result was up just a notch following three consecutive declines. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Unsurprisingly Victoria scored well here too, with falling unemployment looking like a shoo-in for Melbourne. </div>
 <div class="separator"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oDN5Lkggpdk/W3zV6M2hRaI/AAAAAAAAros/hdUwylmO0ccmBenJN0Gi8BlEILu59fHKQCLcBGAs/s1600/DoE.jpg"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oDN5Lkggpdk/W3zV6M2hRaI/AAAAAAAAros/hdUwylmO0ccmBenJN0Gi8BlEILu59fHKQCLcBGAs/s640/DoE.jpg" width="640" height="368" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1374"></a></div>
 <div>In Western Australia vacancies were up 16.3 per cent over the past year, pointing to brighter days ahead across the Nullarbor. Nationally, though, the growth in job ads seems to have stalled, with an election to follow - and that rarely inspires confidence in employers.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
</div>
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Victoria's everything boom: Pete Wargent

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“There’s lots of companies that are just wanting to make money. They basically just tell you whatever’s on their books is the right thing to buy. So, it’s hard to find someone you can trust. 
“What we liked about Ironfish is that they’re a company that educates and takes on board your whole financial situation and goals, not just your ability to access funds to purchase property. There’s heaps of events and education sessions that help improve your general financial IQ as well.” 
<h4>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/chris-cindy-5-e1531102841752-300x244.jpg" alt=""> </h4>
<h4>CASE IN PROFILE</h4>
<ul>
<li>Brisbane based medical specialists</li>
<li>Experienced investors who were lacking a clear goal</li>
<li>Purchased 3 properties with Ironfish</li>
<li>9 investment properties in total</li>
</ul>
<h2>Not really ‘property investors’</h2>
Chris and Cindy Aubrey are Surgical Assistants working in multiple private hospitals in Brisbane. Originally from far north Queensland, Chris and Cindy moved to Brisbane for work, and have a young family of 2 kids, aged 2 and 4. Prior to investing with Ironfish, they already owned 4 investment properties which are scattered around Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, along with a Victorian property in their SMSF.
“We wouldn’t have called ourselves ‘property investors’ though. We had a couple of investment properties because we didn’t know what else to do with our money and we thought property was a good vehicle!
“After investing with Ironfish we really started to look into financial education, and at that point get into property investment a little bit more as a passion and with a clear goal.”
<h2>Finding someone you can trust</h2>
Apart from 2 out of their 9 properties, Chris and Cindy’s investments were purchased through a company. Chris and Cindy’s main challenge before investing with us, was<a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/blog/2018/02/07/cancelled-contract-another-property-investment-company-went-ironfish-instead/" target="_blank"> finding a company they could trust</a>.
“We’ve had experiences with other property companies where they’ve sold us a property and left us. With Ironfish, we don’t feel like we’ve just been ‘sold to’. We hear from our strategist Linna regularly, not only to help us review our current portfolio but also to invite us to <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/seminars/" target="_blank">events and education sessions</a>. There’s always lots to learn.”
<h2>Knowing what you want</h2>
Chris and Cindy had a chat with our Brisbane based strategist, Linna Reakes, who listened to what they wanted to achieve and also invited them to come along to some Ironfish events and property investment seminars.
“We’ve been to a few events and they’re really good, especially Joseph. He’s a great speaker. What we got out of those events was that it <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/blog/2018/02/23/secret-success-everybody-overlooks/" target="_blank">starts with the mindset</a>, it starts with goal setting – which is not what we did initially in our property journey. We leapt into it without knowing what we wanted out of it. Now we have a clear goal; we are aiming to replace enough of our income so we don’t have to work so hard and can spend more time with the kids while they’re still young.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/chris-cindy-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="">
<h2>Property selection</h2>
Chris and Cindy were very specific about what types of property they were targeting when they talked to Linna.
“We told Linna we were looking for house &amp; land, and she helped us acquire a package located in <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/blog/2018/07/04/record-numbers-looking-for-homes-in-queensland/" target="_blank">South East Queensland</a> which met our criteria. We also purchased 2 other units in Brisbane, which provide good cash flow and are good quality builds that are going to hold their value. Credit to Linna to understanding what we wanted and showing us what she thought was suitable.”
<h2>The importance of follow up</h2>
While the performance of the property is important, Chris and Cindy agree that ongoing service and support is what makes a real difference.
“We’ve had good and bad experiences with different companies. We can look back and see which properties have done well and which haven’t; that weighs in on deciding if we’re going to invest with them again.
“But it’s also about communication and follow up. Companies mostly make their money on the event of a sale, but if they have good after-sale service we’re more likely to go with them again. And that’s what we appreciate about Ironfish. There’s good follow up; Linna is great, and the property management service has been good, no problems at all. We’re very happy with the care we’re getting as customers and in our portfolio management. And now that we’ve built a decent portfolio, we’re looking at managing that over the long term.”
<h2>Chris and Cindy’s property investment tips:</h2>
<ol>
<li>
Focus on your own education. We go to seminars, we have mentors and ask lots of questions. Don’t pay attention to mainstream media, look for reports from reputable sources.</li>
<li>
Get yourself a good team of people. We have a financial planner, accountant and mortgage broker – this is something we picked up from Ironfish. In the past 5 years, we’ve changed our accountant and planner to find people who understand and help us achieve our goals. That’s made a huge difference. For example, from an accounting perspective in structuring your properties: you may pay for advice upfront, but it could save you thousands down the track.</li>
<li>
Start with ‘why?’ Set a goal for why you’re investing in property and what you want to achieve out of it before you leap in.</li>
<li>
Consider the benefits of investing in new or off-the-plan property. We initially just fell into this type of investment, but we’ve since learned about the tax depreciation advantages. And also, depending on the area, new home starts are a sign of potential growth in an area. We now have 9 properties, half house &amp; land, half apartment. Most are new properties.</li>
<li>
Look at each of your properties as a business. We haven’t even set foot in any of our investment properties. We’ve got friends who’ve not bought based on a property having a colour of paint they didn’t like. Don’t let emotion sway your decision making. Let the numbers make the decision.</li>
</ol>
 
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